The Story
Appellation: Barolo docg
Varietal: Nebbiolo
Area of production: La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba
Bottles produced: 12.000 / 13.000
Age of the vines: from 20 to 30 years
Soil composition: various
Exposure: south, south-east
Grape yield per hectare: 5 tons per hectare
Vinification: maceration on the skins for approx. 4/5 days in rotary fermenters with temperature control, ageing in French barrique for 24 months
Color: very intense ruby red with garnet reflections
Nose: fresh scents of small red fruits, raspberry, redcurrant and wild roses that evolve into licorice and spice notes
Taste: warm, elegant, persistent with a long finish, soft tannins
Serving suggestion: red meats, aged cheese
Vuosikerta 2000
The new millennium inspired the pioneers of Italy’s wine revolution to set their sights on new regions. It was interesting to see how Antinori invested so heavily in Apulia, and Gaja in Tuscany's Maremma. In Italy the field has been joined by a large number of new small-scale producers, which have the capital to realise ambitious aims, with the assistance of top consultants.
The first vintage of the new millennium turned out to be a rather good one. Both in Piedmont and Tuscany, 2000 was a crop year of extreme proportions. The weather was very unpredictable, demanding a great deal of work on the plantations. The warm spring resulted in early blooms, which was followed by a fine, balmy period that boded well for a large crop. But July brought with it chilly, rainy weather. A hot and dry August neatly remedied the situation and record temperatures were posted in Piedmont. At the end of August plantations were barraged with hailstorms. The 2000 wines are softer than the 1996s and resemble the more mature vintages of 1997 and 1999. In Tuscany this vintage was a good one throughout the region.